Simple creamy potato soup

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I admit, the first time I saw Cook's Illustrated magazine, I was intimidated - it looked like an encyclopedia! But it turned out user-friendly & I've made their warming, simple pureed soup for years.

~ Have a wonderful weekend! ~

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SIMPLE CREAMY POTATO SOUP (Serves 4 to 6)
Adapted slightly (skim milk not whole, extra garnishes) from a 1990s Cook's Illustrated (I sadly never wrote down which issue). This soup can be pureed in one batch in most 5-7 cup blenders.

• 2 tablespoons (~30g) butter, olive oil, or vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, 3 medium shallots, or 1 medium leek (white and light green parts only), chopped
• 2 tablespoons (~30ml) white wine
• 2 large potatoes (about 1-1/2 pounds, or 24 ounces), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch (~1.25cm) dice to yield 4 cups
• 2 cups (~500ml) chicken or vegetable stock
• Salt and ground white pepper to taste
• 1 to 1-1/4 cups (~250-310ml) skim (fat-free) milk
• Optional: 2 teaspoons (~10g) minced fresh chives
• Optional: Minced white or light green part of 1 leek (cooked gently in oil or butter a few minutes until softened)
• Optional: Heavy (whipping) cream to drizzle, fresh-ground black or pink peppercorns

Heat butter or oil in a large (easily-pourable) saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute until golden, about 5 minutes. Add wine & potatoes; stir until wine evaporates, about 30 seconds.

Add stock, and salt and pepper to taste, to saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer; cover & cook potatoes until very tender, about 20 minutes.

Pour or ladle potato mixture into blender. Add 1 cup milk; blend until very smooth. Return soup to saucepan; cook over low heat until warmed through (can also cook optional leek garnish at this point). If soup is too thick, stir in more milk. Adjust seasonings.

Ladle soup into individual bowls. Garnish with minced chives and/or leeks. Drizzle some cream, grind fresh pepper and chow!

Little notes:
If you don't have a standard blender for pureeing, the next best thing is a handheld immersion blender, but don't use a food processor because it tends to leak hot liquid (I tried once just to see - even though the recipe warned against it! - because I often do stupid things :)).